257 Kendall Street
Burlington, WI 53105
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We have purchased land on Highways A & W and are planning to build soon! Drive by and take a look at our future home!
“It is surely a great calamity for a human being to have no obsessions.”
Robert Bly
October 4 th, 2009
Robert Bly was dead wrong! Somehow in my mind, “hobby” horses, rocking horses and carousel horses all connect. They not only look alike, but they accomplish about the same amount of progress for the work they invest. The hobby and rocking horse may move a few inches as a result of the movement of the rider, and the carousel horse invariably ends up right back where it started. In brief, lots of action with few results.
Over the years I’ve seen the same scenario play out over and over again in Christian circles. Someone gets hold of a particular issue or favorite cause and rides and rides it until they or the horse literally wear out, but little progress is ever made and within a short period of time, it is almost impossible to discern that anyone even rode the horses.
Most, but certainly not all, of the “pressing issues” that consume some in evangelical Christianity are fancy and attractive horses, evidently too tempting to leave alone. Unfortunately, after relatively long rides, there has been little or no progress on the matter, and the horses, riders and any who pay attention to them are left worn and disillusioned, just about where they mounted their favorite steeds.
Some have gone to seed on prophecy. Some are obsessed with politics. Too many elevate ecclesiastical separation into the most important doctrine in the Scriptures. Others are hung up on which modern version is the right one. Some are a one string violin when it comes to the right type of schooling for children. Some become hung up on dress codes. Others make music the ultimate test of spirituality. And last but not least, you can find those willing to stake their lives on Calvinism in general or on one of its points just about anywhere or everywhere you look.
God’s Word was written for common people, more often than not for people who were not really well-educated. The Bible was written to be read and understood by such people. When I see an explanation of a point that takes six or seven pages to present, I wonder – would the people to whom this was originally written have understood the pages or tightly reasoned carefully structured intellectual explications that are being used to prove this particular point. Almost invariably, the answer is “No.”
With a couple of exceptions, these issues identified and a myriad of others that occupy some believers in life-long quests are important. For me, they just are not important enough so that they should dominate my thinking, consume my time and cause me to be angry and accusatory toward those who don’t happen to have my “heavenly light” on the subject. It fits my understanding of God’s plan for the Church to not waste our time fighting battles that have not been solved and likely will not be solved until we see Him...when I don’t think they really will make any particular difference anyhow.
And, yes, I know that in the minds of those who “ride the horses” these are critical issues that touch on virtually every other Biblical doctrine and determine not only one’s approach to every other Biblical subject but also delineate whether or not one is either orthodox or even worthy of extended fellowship. Personally, I don’t think so. Years ago I determined that I wouldn’t invest my life arguing, debating and controverting over a subject that I don’t think will be settled until after we see Him.
So what’s my point? I think there are two temptations many believers face when it comes to “issues” or “hobby horses.” One is the temptation to get caught up in these controversies, and the other is to waste vast amounts of time arguing and debating with people whose minds are not going to be changed no matter what is said or done. We are to obey all of Scripture and be familiar with “the whole counsel of God,” not just our favorite areas. All around us are people with needs that simply cry out to be met. We have potentially reachable unsaved people scattered throughout the various avenues of our lives. As a pastor, I am commanded to “feed the flock.” Our lives and our churches need to be balanced. Even the most avid chocaholic would grow tired of chocolate if it were the only thing they ever had to eat.
Someone has wisely said that Satan will alter his tactics if he can’t get us to sin grossly, he’ll try to get us to substitute the good for the better and the better for the best. Riding stationary horses is an exercise in futility. Take your area of interest as your hobby, but don’t invest all your time in that hobby. I seriously doubt if in the long run - should Jesus tarry His return - those who have “beaten a dead horse to death” are going to leave much of an impact to show that they have traveled this way. A desperately needy world is hardly going to be drawn to Christ by our convoluted, theologically technical, intellectual impeccable fixations on matters that seemingly will have little impact on a dying world and a rapidly decaying culture.
